Impressive Red Electric Wines from the Armstrong Vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA

Ribbon Ridge, Oregon’s smallest AVA, was established in 2005 as a sub-AVA of the Willamette Valley.  It may be small, but Ribbon Ridge includes some of the Willamette Valley’s most prestigious wineries like Patricia Green, Beaux Frères, and Brick House. And, now, Red Electric.

In 2006, the year after the creation of the Ribbon Ridge AVA, Doug and Michele Ackerman began searching for a vineyard property in the Ribbon Ridge. Doug found the wines of Ribbon Ridge very appealing: “The wines have both a natural depth of flavor with abundant lavender, black raspberry and violets, as well as an exotic nature with lifted aromatics of fresh strawberry and Asian spices.”

Doug and Michele purchased a 16-acre horse farm at the southern end of the appellation, began planting Pinot Noir on the farm’s ancient sedimentary soils, and renamed the estate Armstrong Vineyard. In 2013 Doug converted to organic practices for the dry-farmed vineyard. About the same time he began talking with his winemaker friend John Grochau about making wines from the estate’s grapes. In 2015 they released their Pinot Noir under the Red Electric label, and a couple of years later Doug grafted over one acre to Chardonnay.

The Pinot Noir clones of Armstrong Vineyard include Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon 667, 777 and 115. Pinot Noir grapes are whole bunch pressed then fermented with ambient yeast and some stem inclusion and aged in a small percentage of new French oak.  Alcohol levels are below 14%.  The Chardonnay is predominantly the Mt Eden clone.

Armstrong Vineyard

The Wines

Red Electric 2021 Chardonnay Evening Primrose Ribbon Ridge AVA ($35) 93 Medium yellow straw. A bright, fresh and lively Chardonnay revealing notes of lemon zest, quince, and wet river stones on the nose. Beautifully integrated on the palate with a firm backbone, good concentration, and a long, stony finish of rich extract. A mix of 4 clones from a one acre parcel of the Armstrong Vineyard, harvested and cofermented and matured on the lees in used French oak for 16 months. 13.8% alc.

Red Electric 2021 Pinot Noir Armstrong Vineyard Ribbon Ridge AVA ($35) 92 Medium red. The Pinot Noir is another nicely crafted wine. It opens with a pure bouquet of dark red cherry and proceeds to a very pretty palate with earth notes complementing dark berries and cherries. Flavorful and balanced. An impressive wine, especially for the price! A blend of 6 clones, all picked separately and fermented with 20% stem inclusion using native yeast; matured in 15% new French oak for 16 months. 13.75% alc.

Red Electric 2021 TGV Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge AVA ($70) 94 The TGV is a barrel selection only made in the best vintages. Medium dark red in color, it’s more concentrated and richer in flavor than the regular bottling although it’s stylistically similar. The fruit is dark and ripe with a silky mouth feel, good acidity and more of everything. Very long finish. Comprised of four clones (55% Pommard clone) fermented separately with native yeast and 20% stem inclusion; aged 16 months in 25% new French oak. 13.8% alc.